Intentional Growth PT-2

Fundamental to the idea of being intentional is to have before you a goal or a sense of purpose. The more specifically you can articulate this goal/purpose the better. If you have grown accustomed to living out your spiritual life on cruise control this can be a daunting task. The good news is that spiritual formation is more about relationship than accomplishment, but you cannot allow that to serve as an excuse for being do-less. God is with us, more intimately than we generally recognize. He will guide, protect, support, and bless. We have to start somewhere. Like Peter, we have to step out of the boat.

The exact formulation of the original goal/purpose is really not all-important. It will undergo multiple revisions as you walk with God. Wherever you are, you need to grow. The challenge is before you to push to new heights, new levels of service, to envision yourself as a difference-maker. Acknowledge Satan's success in pre-occupying you with lesser agendas. Decide to work against his manipulation of your life.

When you set a goal, with God's help, give it your all; but, do not over-identify with the goal. Failure is often a greater teacher than is success. It is in the process of goal revision that you develop spiritual discernment and become more intimate with the God who leads you. Especially, remember the part about failure being the better teacher. Therefore, when you fail, you will be less likely to waste excessive time whining around about being under-appreciated. It was Paul who said that in his weakness God's power was truly made known.

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt (September 7, 1903)